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Officials said 15 people were injured. Police said two of the injuries were serious, and those two were flown from the scene. According to the company, all the injuries are considered non-life threatening.

The Peterborough police chief said the explosion happened on the first floor of the 175 Jaffrey Road plant, and the windows were blown out.

Crews from more than a dozen towns, including about 100 firefighters, were called to the scene. No smoke or flames could be seen coming from the building at about 5 p.m.

Eight ambulances were called to the area, and local hospitals were asked to stage for possible hazmat patients. Fire officials said there were chemicals in the building, but they didn't know what the chemicals were.

Steve Bourgeois of Peterborough Collision, which he said is about 200 to 300 feet from New Hampshire Ball Bearings, said he heard two explosions at about 3:30 p.m.

NHBB manufactures precision bearings used in the aerospace industry, in the defense industry and for dental applications, among others. It was founded in 1946 in Peterborough and now has three manufacturing facilities across the country

The company said there are normally 450 workers at the facility at that time of day.